Gustav wegnee



(No Model.)

G. WEGNER.

SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

8 0 H 1 T N u m w I A r M H l WITNESSES: 5 K 9% z? N. PETEIQS. FhcltrLilhogmphcr. Washinghm. D. Q

FFICEQ ATENT GUSTAV \VEGNER, OF BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR- OF ONE-HALF TO.

EUGENE A. RUDIGER,

-OF BROOKLYN, N. Y.

SUSPENSION-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 297A79, dated April 22, 1884:.

Application filed August 25, 1982. (No model.)

To all whom iii-may concern.-

main and secondary chains form a rib, and

Be it known that I, GUSTAV W'EGNER, of 1 there should be two or more ribs in-each span,

Berlin, Prussia, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suspension-Bridges, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a suspension-bridge in which the undulations incident to bridges of this character are avoided and a high degree of stability obtained.

The invention consists, principally, in the combination of a main suspension-chain, a sec ondary suspension-chain, intermediate joints connecting said chains between their pier-coir nections, and stays extending from said joints to the piers.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents'a side elevation of this improved suspension-bridge. Fig. 2 is also a side elevation of the same, the intermediate joints between the piers being shown as located nearer the piers than in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical transverse section of the transverse and wind bracings of the suspension-chains. Fig. 4 is a top view of said transverse bracings.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The main suspension-chain A is supported on the piers, in the usual manner, by saddles or other suitable supports, the chain being connected to said supports by j oints Iand IV, one at' each point of connection with the saddle. The secondary suspension-chain B is also jointed to the saddles or pier-supports, and connected with the main chain by intermediate joints, II and III. In Fig. 1 themtermediate connecting joints between the chains are located at considerable distance from the piers, and the main and secondary suspension-chains cross each other at these points, the main chain being above the secondary chain between the piers and said i11- termediate joints, and the secondary chain being above the main chain in the central portion of the span between said joints. In Fig.

2 the intermediate joints are located near the piers, and there is no crossing of the chains. The two chains A and B are connected between the joints by proper bcarings. The

as required by the strength and width of the bridge.

Tosecure the proper stability of the entire rib, itis stiffened by stays C, which extend from the intermediate j oints,II and III,of the arches between the piers to suitable anchorages in the base of the piers, as shownin Fig. 1, or to bracket-shaped extensions E of the girders of the said spans, as shown in Fig. 2. In thelatter case the efficiency of the stays O is assisted by-the adjoining vertical ties. The arches of the bridge are laterally stiffened by transverse and wind bracings, the latter extending throughout the span without interruption, even at the joints, thereby imparting a lateral stiffness not heretofore attained in suspension-bridges. The roadway D is suspended, in the usual manner, by vertical rods from the main suspensionchain A. Under the moving load the secondary chain B will undergo relaxation of tension in certain parts of its length. In the con struction shown in Fig. 1 this will be the case in the central section of the main'span, and in the outermost section of the side spans, while in the construction shown in Fig. 2 the relaX- ation of tension will take place in the central span.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a suspension-bridge, the combination,

' substantially as set forth, of a main suspension chain, asecondary suspensionchain, intermediate joints connecting said chains between their pier-supports, and stays extending from said joints to thepiers.

2. In a suspension-bridge, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a main snspension-chain, a secondary suspension-chain, intermediatejoints connecting said chains between their pier-supports, braces connecting said chains between said intermediate joints, and stays extending from said joints to the piers.

3. In a suspension-bridge, the combination, substantially as set forth, with ribs composed of a main suspensioirchain, a secondary suspension-chain, intermediate joints connecting said chains between their pier-supports, and

IOO

bracings between said chains, of transverse I In testimony that I claim'the foregoing as and Wind bracings between such ribs. my invention I have signed my name in pres- 4. In a suspension-bridge, the combination, ence of two subscribing witnesses. substantially as set forth, with ribs composed r 5 of; main suspension-chain, a secondary sus- GUSTAV WEGNER.

pensionchain, intermediate joints connecting said chains between their piensnpports, and itnesses: bracings between said chains, of transverse PAUL GOEPEL, and wind bracings between the ribs, and stays SIDNEY MANN.

10 extending from said joints to the piers. l 

